What do FReepers Think of "It"?

Good Morning America

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Good Morning America had extended segments with the inventor of "It", AKA Ginger, a personal mobility device. The co-hosts also participated in a demonstration of the device.

Curious if other FReepers watched and what their reaction is.

Is this an invention of great practical importance, or will it be assigned to the same wing of the Hall of Gadgets that houses the pogo stick?

[Brett66]

It's a cool toy- if you have three thousand dollars to throw away. "IT" will be a niche product, just like Kamens climbing wheelchair. He says it could be used by mailmen, couriers, etc. That seems like a realistic market niche. With all of the surrounding hype of "IT" a lot of people are scoffing, rightly so, I might add. It's nothing more than a "Lark" on steroids. God help us with thousands of old farts zipping around at 17 mph on these things.

[N. Theknow]

Doomed to failure.

No cupholder.

[Physicist]

Is this an invention of great practical importance, or will it be assigned to the same wing of the Hall of Gadgets that houses the pogo stick?

Great practical importance.

[Bikers4Bush]

It's stupid. We already have two wheeled personal mobility devices that are small. They're called bicycles and unlike this thing you actually get some exercise.

What makes this tool think we'd build entire cities around these things if we don't do it for bicycles?

And I don't care if it is self stabilizing, if you're someone who has trouble moving around to begin with chances are that your coordination will be impaired enough to make one of these downright dangerous for you.

I'll stick to my larger two wheeled personal mobility device that gets about 50 MPG and goes over 100 MPH.

[Snuffington]

The scooter is a toy. I'm curious to see what else they can do with the technology inside it though. That's the real invention.

[dakine]

Clara Bow?..okay...

[RMeek]

I heard of this on the radio a while back. It will be a very good device for the disabled. It can go up stairs. It only has 2 wheels and balances via a gyro controlled device I believe. I think it's a good thing. A little pricey as I recall. . .

The inventor has had some other inventions as well. His first one of these was similar and he called it Fred. What a team! Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers!

[strela]

I might have been more interested if the gizmo had actually had the new-technology motor that was previously alluded to in the hype (fuel-cell, hydrogen, etc.). As it stands, I don't see it becoming anything but a bored rich child's toy, doomed to gather dust in the spare bedroom with the stairmaster.

[SamAdams76]

About 20 years ago, the downtown shopping area in Boston was in dire straits. Stores in the area were near bankruptcy. This was because everybody was going to the suburban malls that were springing up all over, less hassle, less traffic, less crime, no worries about parking spaces.

Well they decided to make the entire shopping area (about an 8-block area) a pedestrian mall and called it "Downtown Crossing." They put brick over the roadways and banned auto traffic. They assigned some police officers to patrol the area on foot. Suddenly new stores started popping up and it became a very popular place. They did the same thing with Fanueil Hall which is another popular pedestrian attraction with lots of pubs and restaurants. Getting cars off the streets definitely reinvigorated those downtown areas.

But the city of Boston is still a mess and it will be until we find a way to get people out of their cars. There are just too many cars and too few parking spaces. It is nearly impossible to park. What I see happening because of this invention is huge parking garages just outside the city where people will park their cars and "scooter" into the downtown area. I know it sounds far-fetched. But I see it happening. I also see these "scooters" improving to the point where you can use them in all weather and have some space to store cargo, such as purchases. Remember the first automobiles...they were a joke. You had to hand-crank the engines and you were lucky to get more than a few miles out of them before they broke down for one reason or another. They were also exposed to the elements. I think this scooter is a lot further along than those original automobiles and the improvements and modifications will happen at a much quicker pace as they are put into production.

BTW, I see lots of people using these at Theme Parks in just a few years. Disney World and the rest will be renting them out as you come through the gates.

[Slainte]

I think that comes with the sport package.

[Libloather]

I was always partial towards Mary Ann...

[nimc]

"IT"'s a huge leap in technology that has far reaching implications for other applications. Mmmmmm…like a wearable, stand-up mobility suit for paraplegic perhaps?

[Eccl 10:2]

I think it's Al Gore's best invention to date...

[opbuzz]

He has just invented the worlds newest weapons system, a remote controlled robot that could haul about 1200 40mm grenades, turns on a dime and moves at jogging speed.

A 40mm grenade launcher can throw a lot of bang.

[Brett66]

a wearable, stand-up mobility suit for paraplegic perhaps?

[RMeek]

My last post was the Fred Invention. Ginger is different, and here's a couple of articles on It.

Time Magazine article: Reinventing the Wheel

FReeper Article: "IT" Revealed - (Ginger)

[Jethro Tull]

Put me down for two "IT's."

Any attempt to get Americans away from the jack boot of OPEC is a good thing.

IT may be just the first step in more independent America, but it's a big first step....

[RMeek]

I think it's Al Gore's best invention to date...

ROTFLMAO!

[Doctor Freeze]

Good idea, but it's pretty heavy. The problem is the transition from car to the "IT." Are you going to tote it around in your car trunk? How do you get the thing out when you're ready to use it?

I agree... a future Sharper Image product for consumers, but I can see some industrial uses (large factories) and government uses (patrolling).

[chilepepper]

I am amazed at the natering negativity to Kamen's fine invention

The number of "special cases" which will make this a success
boggle the mind.Try walking around Disneyworld with a bad hip sometime.

Now imagine being able to rent one of these at the entrance to the park...

I also think this won't REALLY take off until the Chinese
start manufacturing it (sorry: imagine what the PC would cost if it were union
made in the US)